Biofortification of flavonoids in nuts along the agro-food chain for improved nutritional and health benefits, a comprehensive review and future prespectives

Miaomiao Chen; Zuying Zhang; Mingwei Zhu; Kexin Liu; Mohamed A Farag; Lili Song; Fei Gao; Han Tao

doi:10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141754

Biofortification of flavonoids in nuts along the agro-food chain for improved nutritional and health benefits, a comprehensive review and future prespectives

Food Chem. 2024 Oct 25;464(Pt 2):141754. doi: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141754. Online ahead of print.

Authors

Miaomiao Chen¹, Zuying Zhang², Mingwei Zhu¹, Kexin Liu¹, Mohamed A Farag³, Lili Song⁴, Fei Gao⁵, Han Tao⁶

Affiliations

¹ Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Protection and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an, Zhejiang Province 311300, China.
³ Pharmacognosy Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
⁴ State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Lin'an, Zhejiang Province 311300, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁵ Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Protection and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China; Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Utilization of Forestry Biomass, College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China. Electronic address: [email protected].
⁶ Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Resources Protection and Innovation of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China. Electronic address: [email protected].

PMID: 39461312
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.141754

Abstract

Flavonoids are found ubiquitous in dietary sources with potential antioxidant properties, and have received widespread attention for their health benefits. Nuts, rich in flavonoids, are popular among consumers for their crunchy flavor and nutritious content. The review summarizes studies pertaining to the diverse types and distribution of flavonoids in nuts, their potential health benefits, as well as management strategies for flavonoids accumulation and enhancement across the whole agro-food chain, including the selection of nut varieties, the suitable growing conditions, the optimal harvesting period of nuts, and appropriate post-harvest measures, such as chemical conditioning, ideal storage conditions, and post-harvest processing methods. Furthermore, associated metabolic pathways, and applied metabolic engineering to improve flavonoids´ levels in nuts are described. This review examines the application of flavonoids biofortification in nuts across the agro-food chain, exploring its potential for sustainable development in the nut flavonoids industry, and emphasizing its importance for people's diet and health.

Keywords: Antioxidants; Flavonoids; Health-promoting; Metabolic engineering; Nuts; Whole agro-food chain.

Publication types

Review